Alexander Statement on White House Meeting
“I was extremely disappointed our legislation didn't become law. If Democrats are willing to modify their position on the Hyde Amendment and renew their interest in Alexander-Murray, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss it.”
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2019 — U.S. Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement:
“I was glad to hear that the Alexander-Murray legislation came up in the White House meeting today. It is probably the best known piece of good legislation in my 17 years in the Senate that has yet to become law.
“Senator Murray and I worked hard and well together for eight months with full support from President Trump to come up with an agreement that independent analysts said would reduce premiums by up to 40 percent over three years.
“At President Trump’s request, Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan both supported Alexander-Murray. It was introduced in the Senate by 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats. At one point, Senator Schumer said it was such good policy that every Democrat would vote for it.
“The agreement fell apart at the last minute because Democrats refused to vote for the traditional Hyde Amendment restricting federal funding for elective abortions that Democrats had voted for in every appropriations bill since 1976, and voted for in 100 other places in the same appropriations bill in which we proposed to include Alexander-Murray.
“I was extremely disappointed our legislation didn't become law. If Democrats are willing to modify their position on the Hyde Amendment and renew their interest in Alexander-Murray, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss it.”
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